The 2024 Druid uses a primal connection to nature to grant them supernatural powers. They can shapeshift to gain the eyes of hawk, speed of a cheetah, or strengh of a bear. Their magic calls on the full power of nature, with a mixture of spells that can heal or strike like a thunderstorm. This guide explains the new Druid rules, and everything you need to know to build a Druid adventurer.
If you want to build a Druid from scratch, STOP reading here. Our Druid 5e guide has all the information you need - this is simply a changelog of changes between the two versions of fifth edition.
Level one
- Core Druid Traits - No longer proficient with scimitars or medium armor, but they are now proficient with handaxes, light hammers, and light crossbows.
- Druidic - Now means you always have Speak With Animals prepared.
- Primal Order - An entirely new feature.
- Spellcasting - New spells on the Druid spell list: Elementalism; Message; Spare the Dying; Starry Whisp; Thunderclap; Aid; Charm Monster; Fount of Moonlight.
- Spellcasting - Druids now have a set number of prepared spells at each level rather than calculating them based on their level and Wisdom modifier.
- Spellcasting - Druids can now swap a cantrip they know when they gain a Druid level.
Level two
- Wild Shape - Rather than regaining all uses on a short or long rest, you regain one use on a short rest and all uses on a long rest. Wild Shape is also now a bonus action rather than an action.
- Wild Shape - Instead of being able to transform into any creature that you have seen before, you only know four Beast Forms at a time (and can swap them after a long rest). You're also no longer barred from choosing creatures with a swim speed before level four.
- Wild Shape - When you use Wild Shape, you now gain temporary HP rather than taking on the HP of your Beast shape. Losing the temporary HP will not end Wild Shape, and Wild Shape now ends if you become incapacitated (rather than unconscious).
- Wild Shape - You now also retain your creature type, class features, languages, and feats while in Beast form.
- Wild Shape - No longer prevents you from taking actions that are part of a spell you cast before transforming into your Beast form.
- Wild Companion - Now lets you spend a spell slot to cast Find Familiar.
Level three
- Druid Subclass - Druids now gain their subclass at level three rather than level two. Pre-level-three features have been moved up accordingly.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Sea) - An entirely new subclass.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Land) - Can now change what Land spell list they can access after finishing a long rest. Four spell lists to choose from rather than eight, and they're all different from before.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Land) - A brand-new feature that replaces Bonus Cantrip.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Moon) - Combat Wild Shape has been removed.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Moon) - Circle Forms's sixth-level challenge rating restriction is now available from third level. It also gives you a set armor class and temporary HP when you use your Wild Shape.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Moon) - Circle of the Moon Spells is an entirely new feature.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Stars) - The number of times Star Map lets you cast Guiding Bolt equals your Wisdom modifier rather than your proficiency bonus.
Level five
- Wild Resurgence - An entirely new feature.
Level six
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Land) - Natural Recovery moved from level two to level six (replacing Land's Stride), and it now also lets you cast Circle Spells without spending a spell slot once per long rest.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Moon) - Improved Circle Forms is a new feature that replaces Primal Strike.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Stars) - Cosmic Omen can be used a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier rather than your proficiency bonus.
Level seven
- Elemental Fury - An entirely new feature.
Level 10
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Land) - Nature's Ward has been re-designed so that it's functionally a new feature.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Moon) - Moonlight Step is a brand-new feature that replaces Elemental Wild Shape.
Level 14
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Land) - Nature's Sanctuary has been redesigned so it's essentially a brand-new feature.
- Druid Subclass (Circle of the Moon) - Lunar Form is an entirely new feature that replaces Thousand Forms.
Level 15
- Improved Elemental Fury - An entirely new feature.
Level 18
- Beast Spells - You can now cast spells with a material component while in Wild Shape provided they don't have a listed cost or are consumed by the spell.
Level 19
- Epic Boon - A completely new feature.
Level 20
- Archdruid - Has been re-designed so it's functionally a new feature.
We also have guides to the other DnD classes, plus DnD 2024 backgrounds and DnD races: these will be pretty important for your future Druid builds.